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 My Site News: PITTSFORD SWIMMERS HOLD OFF PENFIELD, 94-92 |
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PITTSFORD SWIMMERS HOLD OFF PENFIELD, 94-92
Brian Possee Smashes Two Records To
Lead Panthers Victory
Brian Possee set pool records in both the 200 free and the 100 free as the Pittsford Boys Swimming and Diving team held off a challenge from a tough Penfield squad to remain undefeated.
For only the second time this season, the meet went down to the final event, the 400 free relay, where a 2,3 finish sealed the 94-92 Pittsford victory. Penfield took first place in eight of 12 events, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the depth of the defending state champion Panthers.
The long-anticipated showdown between Pittsford and Penfield promised to be close and exciting and the meet lived up to its advance billing. The lead changed hands several times, although a 1,2 finish in diving put Pittsford ahead to stay.
“We were coming off a big win against Fairport and I’m really proud that we were able to get up again and prove that we’re the best team, the team to beat,” Possee said.
Possee’s 1:43.01 in the 200 free took down a Mendon pool record set by Andy Meek, a former New York State champion in the event. (Meek went on to swim for Clemson, the school that Possee will be attending.) In the 100 free, Possee turned in a 47.70 to break Doug Whitney’s long-standing record. Both Meek and Whitney were All American swimmers for Pittsford.
From the opening event, the 200 medley relay, it was clear the meet was going to be determined by strategy as much as speed. Mike Moran, Charlie Ruff, Kenny Pink and Greg Conklin took second in the medley, with Pittsford also placing third.
Possee fired up the home crowd with his record swim in the 200 free, with Jeremy Amon coming in third and scoring key points. Ruff took third and Ben Silverstein fourth in the 200 individual medley and Greg Conklin came in second and Andrew Kuter fourth for the Panthers in the 50 free.
Pittsford’s divers delivered when it counted, with Wills DeMoulin taking first place, Sean Hingel second and Charlie Shaddock fourth. The divers gave Pittsford a solid lead and Penfield, while mounting challenges, was never able to get back in front in scoring.
In the 100 fly, Taylor Topping took second. In the next event, the 100 free, Possee set his second pool record. Nathan French was second and Jimmy Prezzano third in the 500 free.
Head coach Mark Morris divided his best swimmers in the three relay events, a tactic designed to score points by assuring second and third place finishes for his team.
“I never split three relays in my career,” Morris said, “but it was necessary today.”
The Panthers swimmers did as the coach asked, taking second and third in the 200 free relay. Penfield’s top swimmer, Jeremy Chang, made an unexpected appearance in the 100 back (he’s one of the state’s top breaststrokers), with Moran and Silverstein going 3,4 for the Panthers. With Chang out of the 100 breast, Pink stepped up to take first place, with Sean McManus third.
Pittsford then placed second and third in the final event, the 400 free relay, with the team of Conklin, Ruff, Moran and Amon right behind the winning Penfield squad.
The home crowd erupted once more, as the score went up confirming Pittsford’s 94-92 victory. With just one dual meet left before Sectionals, Pittsford is on track for its second straight undefeated season.
The Pittsford junior varsity had a much easier day, defeating the Penfield JV by a score of 115-48.
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